Schools for X Ray Techs Leesburg VA 20175 Archives - Find X-Ray and Radiology Tech Schools

How to Find an Xray Tech Program near Leesburg Virginia

Leesburg VA x-ray tech internship program Best wishes regarding your career choice to enroll in an x-ray tech school near Leesburg VA in order to become a radiologic technician. And now that you have chosen to go into the rewarding field of healthcare, exactly how do you undertake choosing the ideal school and program so that you will receive the appropriate training to become a skilled practitioner? And considering that the majority of states do mandate that x-ray techs become licensed, depending on where you subsequently work you may need training to pass a licensing examination. So it’s important that you assess each of the colleges you are looking at in order to compare each program. A number of potential students begin by searching for technical schools or colleges that are within driving distance of their homes. Next, they compare tuition and often settle on the most affordable cost. But while cost and location must be taken into account, there are other important qualifiers also. For example, you need to find out if the radiology tech schools have earned accreditation, or if they sponsor internships. These questions and others you should ask the colleges you are considering are provided later in this post. But first, let’s explore what a radiology technician does and the degrees and training options that are offered.

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X-Ray Technician Career Summary

There are a number of professional titles for x-ray techs (technicians or technologists). They can also be called radiologic technologists, radiologic technicians, radiology technicians or radiographers. Regardless of the name, they all have the identical principal job function, which is to employ imaging machines to internally view patients for the objective of diagnosis and treatment. Some radiologic technologists may also provide radiation therapy for treating cancer. Many elect to perform as generalists, while others may choose a specialization, such as mammography. They may work in Leesburg VA hospitals, clinics, private practices or outpatient diagnostic imaging centers. The imaging technologies that an X-Ray tech may work with include:

Traditional and specialized X-Rays
Computerized tomography (CT) or “CAT” scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Sonography or ultrasound
Fluoroscopy

Radiographers must take care of their equipment plus regularly analyze its functionality and safety. They are also expected to retain complete records of all of their diagnostic procedures. As Leesburg VA health practitioners, they must adhere to a code of conduct and a high professional standard.

X-Ray Technician Degrees

x-ray machine in Leesburg VA The standard requirement for enrolling in a radiology tech program is to have received a high school diploma or equivalent. Radiologic technologist students have the opportunity to earn either an Associate Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree. An Associate Degree, which is the most prevalent among techs, usually takes 18 months to two years to finish based upon the program and course load. A Bachelor’s Degree will take longer at up to four years to complete and is more extensive in nature. The majority of students choose a degree major in Radiography, but there are additional similar majors that may be acceptable as well. Something to consider is that Leesburg VA radiographer colleges have a practical training or lab component as a component of their course of study. It may frequently be satisfied by taking part in an externship program which many colleges sponsor through local hospitals and clinics in their area. After you have graduated from any of the degree programs, you must abide by any licensing or certification requirements in Virginia or the state you will be working as applicable.

Radiographer Licensing and Certification

Once you have graduated from an x-ray technician school, based on the state where you will be working you may need to become licensed. The majority of states do mandate licensing, and their requirements differ so get in touch with your state. At present, all states that do mandate licensing will recognize The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification exam for the licensing application, but many approve additional options for testing also. A number of states also require certification as part of the licensing procedure, otherwise it is voluntary. Having said that, numerous Leesburg VA employers prefer to hire radiology techs that have earned certification so it may increase your career options to earn certification. ARRT’s certification program requires graduation from an approved program in addition to a passing score on their rigorous exam. ARRT also demands re-certification every two years, which can be fulfilled with 24 credits of continuing education, or by passing an examination.

Online X-Ray Technician Schools

attending x-ray tech school online in Leesburg 20175 As a part of any degree program, x-ray tech schools will have clinical or lab training included in their course of study. This is no different for online degree programs. So even though you can still obtain your degree online, a considerable portion of the training will be completed either in a college lab or in an internship off campus. Practical training is often performed in area family practices, medical clinics or hospitals in sponsorship with the schools. But the online section of the training may be attended in the privacy of your Leesburg VA residence. Students who continue working while earning their degree often discover that the online style of education is far more practical with their busy schedules. Plus online schools are often less costly than traditional options. In addition to lower tuition, costs for commuting and study materials may be reduced also. But just confirm that the online college you choose is accredited (more on the advantages of accreditation later). So if you are motivated enough to learn with this less formalized type of training, then an online school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Radiologic Tech Programs

When you have decided on the type of degree that you want to obtain, you can initiate the process of locating and evaluating Leesburg VA x-ray tech schools. You will also have to decide if you want to attend classes online or travel to a local campus. If you opt for the latter, then obviously the location of the college will be relevant. The price of tuition and supplementary expenses will be a material factor also. But along with cost and location, what else should you consider when comparing schools? Well, you should find out if the schools are accredited, and if they provide internship or externship programs. To help you learn some of these essential details prior to making your decision, we have assembled a list of questions that you should ask the schools you are looking at.

Are the X-Ray Technician Programs Accredited? A large number of radiology technician colleges have acquired some form of accreditation, whether regional or national. Even so, it’s still imperative to make sure that the program and school are accredited. One of the most highly regarded accrediting agencies in the field of radiology is the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). Schools earning accreditation from the JRCERT have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and course materials. If the school is online it can also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. All accrediting agencies should be acknowledged by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. Along with ensuring a superior education, accreditation will also help in obtaining financial assistance and student loans, which are frequently not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Accreditation can also be a pre-requisite for certification and licensing as required. And many Leesburg VA employers will only hire graduates of an accredited college for entry-level positions.

Are Internships Sponsored? Inquire if the Virginia xray tech programs you are reviewing have partnerships with regional hospitals or clinics for internship programs. Internships are not only a terrific means to get hands on experience in a clinical environment, they are additionally a way to satisfy the practical training requirement for the majority of programs. As an ancillary benefit, they can assist students and graduates develop professional relationships in the Leesburg VA health care community and help with job placement.

Is Job Placement Assistance available? You will most likely want to secure employment quickly after graduation, but finding that first job in a new field can be challenging without assistance. Ask if the x-ray tech programs you are reviewing have job placement programs and what their placement rates are. High and rapid placement rates are an excellent sign that the schools have large networks and good relationships with Leesburg VA healthcare employers. It also corroborates that their graduates are highly regarded and sought after.

Where is the Program Located? For a number of students, the school they choose will have to be within travelling distance of their Leesburg VA residence. Those who have chosen to attend online classes obviously will not have to worry themselves with the location of the campus. However, the availability of local internships will be of concern. One thing to keep in mind is that if you decide to enroll in a college that is out of state or even out of your local area, you might need to pay a higher tuition. State colleges normally charge higher tuitions for out of state residents. And community colleges normally charge a higher tuition to those students that don’t reside within their districts.

What Size are the Classes ? Unless you are the sort of person that prefers to sit far in the rear of the classroom or hide in the crowd, you will likely prefer a smaller class size. Smaller classes permit more individual participation and personalized instruction. Ask the Leesburg VA colleges you are considering what the average student to teacher ratio is for their classes. If practical you may want to sit in on one or more classes before making your ultimate decision. This will also give you a chance to talk with several of the instructors and students to get their opinions regarding the radiology technician program as well.

Can the Program Accommodate your Schedule? And last you must verify that the x-ray tech program you ultimately select can provide the class schedule you need. This is particularly important if you opt to continue working while attending classes. If you must schedule night or weekend classes in Leesburg VA, verify that they are available. If you can only attend part-time, verify if that is an alternative and how many courses or credit hours you would need to enroll in. Also, find out what the procedure is for making up any classes that you may miss as a result of illness, work or family emergencies.

Why Did You Choose to Become a Radiology Technician?

When prepping to interview for an X-Ray Tech job, it's helpful to consider questions you may be asked. Among the things that interviewers typically ask radiographer prospects is "What drove you to select radiography as a profession?". What the interviewer is hoping to learn is not just the personal reasons you might have for becoming an Xray technician, but also what attributes and skills you possess that make you exceptional at your profession. You will probably be asked questions pertaining primarily to radiography, in addition to a certain number of standard interview questions, so you need to ready some ideas about how you would like to address them. Since there are so many factors that go into choosing a career, you can answer this fundamental question in a variety of ways. When readying an answer, aim to include the reasons the profession interests you along with the abilities you have that make you an outstanding X-Ray tech and the best choice for the position. Don't attempt to memorize an answer, but jot down a few ideas and talking points that relate to your personal strengths and experiences. Going over sample responses can assist you to formulate your own concepts, and inspire ideas of what to discuss to enthuse the recruiter.

Pick the Right Radiology Technician School near Leesburg VA

Selecting the appropriate x-ray tech college is a crucial first step toward starting a gratifying new career furnishing diagnostic medical services to patients. The ideal radiologic technologist must be in good physical shape. Radiology techs frequently stand for the greater part of the workday and position and in some cases lift the patient to obtain the correct image. Prospects must also show a capability to pay close attention to detail and to follow the safety requirements designed to protect both the medical team and the patient. X-Ray technicians work very closely with patients, other technicians as well as the radiologists and other doctors. Possessing social skills is a must in order to have a productive work environment and provide the best available patient care. As has been addressed in this article, there are several questions that you need to ask each program you are considering prior to making your final selection. This is just as true whether you opt for an online school or drive to classes on campus. By asking the right questions you can evaluate and compare each program so you can narrow down your choices before making your decision. And with the appropriate education and your dedication to succeed, you can accomplish your goal to practice as a radiographer in Leesburg VA.

Some Background on Leesburg Virginia

Leesburg, Virginia

Leesburg is a historic town within and the county seat of Loudoun County, Virginia. Leesburg is 33 miles (53 km) west-northwest of Washington, D.C. along the base of Catoctin Mountain and adjacent to the Potomac River.[4] Its population according to the 2010 Census is 42,616. The town is also the northwestern terminus of the Dulles Greenway, a private toll road that connects to the Dulles Toll Road at Washington Dulles International Airport.

Leesburg, like the rest of Loudoun, has undergone considerable growth and development over the last 30 years, transforming from a small, rural, piedmont town to a suburban bedroom community for commuters to the national capital. Growth in the town and its immediate area to the east (Lansdowne/Ashburn) concentrates along the Dulles Greenway and State Route 7, which roughly parallels the Potomac River between Winchester to the west and Alexandria to the east.

The Federal Aviation Administration's Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center is in Leesburg.

Leesburg was named to honor the influential Thomas Lee and not, as is popular belief, his son Francis Lightfoot Lee who lived in Loudoun and brought up the bill to establish Leesburg, nor as is sometimes thought, Robert E. Lee (his great-grandnephew).

Prior to European settlement, the area around Leesburg was occupied by various Native American tribes. John Lederer (1670) testified that the entire Piedmont region had once been occupied by the "Tacci, alias Dogi", but that the Siouan tribes, driven from the northwest, had occupied it for 400 years[citation needed]. In 1699, the Algonquian Piscataway (Conoy) moved to an island in the Potomac in the environs of Leesburg, and were there when the first known Europeans visited what is now Loudoun.[5]